stk-hCS ISDD - Technical Implementation

What is cache memory?

Cache is memory that is either located on the processor or closer to the processor than main memory. Data stored in cache is data that is often used. The processor check cache first before main memory for data.

Why do businesses use web hosting services?

Web hosting is providing server space, web services and file maintenance for websites for companies/people that do not have their own web servers e.g. godaddy

What does the resource allocation function of the OS do?

When more than one application is running, the operating system determines the priority of running for each application and how much time should be allowed for each application before passing control of the processor to another application.

Describe Mail Services

When using cloud based email, users need to log in via the internet. All features of the email system run via the browser. This has the advantage of allowing access on a range of devices as long as internet access is present.

What transmission media is needed to connect an information system to the internet?

Wired - Computers within a network are usually connected through Unshielded Twisted Pair cables commonly referred to as Ethernet cables. Wireless - A wireless connection uses radio signals to send data across networks. Computers can make a wireless connection if they have a wireless Network Interface Card and are within range.

What is the difference between a differential backup and a full backup?

- It is much faster than full backup; - Uses less storage space (but more than incremental backup); - Slower to restore (but faster than incremental backup)

What is the purpose of a hub?

A hub will take data that it receives from the server and will transmit the data to every device connected to the hub. This is inefficient as a hub could send packets of data to twenty connected computers when the packet of data was only needed by one of the twenty computers.

What is the purpose of a router?

A router is needed to connect two different networks, most commonly linking a home or business network to the internet. The internet is a group of interconnected networks and it is routers that are used to allow these networks to connect to one another.

What is private cloud?

A service operated specifically for a single organisation. It can be managed internally or externally by a provider. For a company to move to a cloud service and virtualise their business environment requires considerable commitment, since the costs can be expensive.

What is public cloud?

A service provider makes resources available to the general public over the Internet. Public cloud services may be free or offered on a pay-per-usage model.

What is the purpose of an operating system?

A suite of programs that controls computer hardware and software resources. It provides services for programs to allow them to run correctly. Without the operating system, all other programs would not be able to run, nor would any of the hardware we use with a computer.

What is the purpose of a switch?

A switch is designed to make sure that data can be transferred between devices on a network. A switch will use MAC addresses to make sure that data packets are only sent to the device that needs the data. This is much more efficient than a hub.

Know what units the processor speed would be measured in.

It is measured in Gigahertz (Ghz)

What is shared web hosting?

A website gets its own domain name, and is hosted on a powerful server along with a number of other websites. Shared solutions often offer multiple software solutions like e-mail, database, and different editing options. Technical support tends to be good.

What is dedicated web hosting?

A website is hosted on a dedicated server. Dedicated hosting is the most expensive option. This option is best suited for large web sites with high traffic, and web sites which use special software. Dedicated hosting is usually very powerful and secure.

What is the purpose of the function interprets user commands?

All input from the user is translated into binary so that the processor can understand and execute the instructions

Describe Data Storage.

Allows users to upload files that they can access again from any connected internet ready device, not just the device used to upload the files. e.g. Google Drive Users login and are then given access to files. Any changes are saved on the cloud and are evident in real time.

Describe what input and output devices are.

An input device is anything that is used to control a computer system or to send data to it is an input device. An output device is anything that the system uses to send out or display information from the processor.

What is hybrid cloud?

An organisation may provide and manage some resources in-house using a private cloud - for example operational customer data. Other resources may be provided externally using a public cloud - for example using a service such as Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) for archived data.

How does cache memory improves system performance?

As cache is located closer to the processor than main memory the fetch executes to cache are much faster

Define Bandwidth.

Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted across the network

What storage devices are optical?

CDs DVDs & Blueray

Give 3 examples of off-line storage.

CDs; DVDs; External hard disks; Flash drives

What is the definition of cloud computing?

Cloud computing is internet-based computing in which large groups of remote servers are networked to allow sharing of data-processing tasks, centralised data storage, and online access to computer services or resources.

What are the advantages of using Data Storage via the Cloud?

Collaboration; No need for user to backup

Compare an incremental backup to a full backup

Compared to full backup, incremental backup is: - Much faster; - Uses less storage space; - Slower to restore

What media is used for backus?

DAT - DAT stands for Digital Audio Tape and is a form of magnetic tape used as part of a backup strategy. Tapes look like traditional compact cassettes but record in digital format. Digital Audio Tapes developed for backup are capable of storing up to 160GB. Very Cheap; DLT - Digital Linear Tape is another form of magnetic tape storage that can also support up to 160GB of data. Very Cheap; Optical - Optical backup involves using optical discs such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-Rays. Often used for archiving. Archived data is data that is backed up for future reference or as a last resort rather than being backed up as a second copy of live data.

What are the most common cloud based services?

Data Storage; Mail Services; Software Updates

Describe a differential backup

Differential backup is a backup of all changes made since the last full backup. With differential backups, one full backup is done first and subsequent backup runs are all the changes since this full backup.

What is distributed storage?

Distributed storage consists of a large number of small storage devices available from storage providers around the globe accessed via the internet. Cloud computing is a form of distributed storage.

What are the three main types of web hosting?

Free web hosting; shared web hosting; dedicated web hosting

What is the difference between freeware and shareware software?

Freeware programs are still proprietary even though the software is free. The source code to these applications is not able to be modified, so they are clearly proprietary. Shareware is proprietary software that is made available to users at no cost under strict conditions. e.g. the license for the software may expire after a certain trial period.

What storage devices are magnetic?

Hard disks tape drives

How does the number of cores on a processor can affect system performance?

If there is more than 1 core, then different activities can be given to different cores so that they can run concurrently

How does the number of processors can affect system performance?

If there is more than 1 processor in the computer, the tasks can be split between more than 1 processor and run concurrently.

Describe an incremental backup.

Incremental backup is a backup of all the changes made since any form of previous backup. With incremental backups, one full backup is done first and then subsequent backups are run whenever a change has been made.

Name 2 backup strategies.

Incremental backup, Differential backup

What is proprietary software?

Is closed source software. The original source code for the software is not accessible. You can't see the actual code written by the programmers; Users must agree under the licence agreement not to modify the software or distribute it to anyone else; Companies have invested many years of software development into a product. By making the software proprietary, they are protecting their investment.

What is free web hosting?

It does not cost any money and is limited in features/storage; It is best suited for small sites with low traffic, like personal sites. Technical support is often limited, and technical options are few. Very often you cannot use your own domain name at a free site.

What is the purpose of IO management function?

It handles input to and output from attached hardware devices, such as the keyboard, mouse, monitor, hard disks, and printers.

Why a backup strategy is important?

It is important to backup computer systems and data. This means they can be restored in the event of a system outage, hardware failure, or other data loss. .

What are the advantages of open sourced software?

Many people prefer open source software because: - they have more control over it; - they can examine the code to make sure it's not doing anything they don't want it to; - they can change parts of it they don't like

What are the main functions of an operating system?

Memory Management, I/O Management, File Management, Resource Allocation, Interpret User Commande

What is mirror backup (RAID)?

Mirror backup is a mirror of the source being backed up. When a file in the source is deleted, that file is eventually also deleted in the mirror backup. Mirror backups should be used with caution. A file that is deleted by accident or through a virus may also cause the mirror backups to be deleted as well.

What are the current trends in operating systems:

Mobile Operating Systems - Android and Mac OS; Touch screen Operating Systems; Operating Systems that communicate with cloud applications

What is meant by the number of processors in a computer system?

Motherboards are available to buy which have more than 1 processor slot. This means there can be more than 1 processor within a single computer system.

What is off-line storage?

Offline storage is any storage that is not connected to a computer. The data stored is permanent even if it's disconnected or unplugged from the computer after the data has been stored. Offline storage is generally portable and can be used on different computer systems.

Where are the locations where backups can happen?

On-site - An onsite backup is stored within the same premises as the live data. Off-site repository - Use of an offsite repository involves storing backups away from an organisation and the active server or data. Cloud - Cloud technology when used for backup is essentially a version of offsite storage that is almost guaranteed to make use of a distributed data storage model

What is open sourced software?

Open source software is software whose source code is available for modification or enhancement by anyone; Open source software licences promote collaboration and sharing. Some licences ensure that anyone who alters and then shares a program with others must also share that program's source code without charging a licensing fee for it.

What is the difference between read-only and rewritable?

Pre-manufactured CDs/DVDs already have their data saved and cannot be edited, they are known as read only discs. CD-RW and DVD-RW are known as rewriteable. This means data burned onto a CD-RW or DVD-RW cannot be changed, but it can be erased and re-written to.

What are the key factors of private cloud?

Private cloud architectures can strongly benefit an organisation as long they are implemented and managed effectively and securely.

What is meant by type of processor?

Processors now have multiple number of cores on them. Duo core - 8 core (high street computers) Up to 72 core (specialised computers)

Know what RAM stand for

RAM - Random Access Memory

What hardware is needed for a network connection?

Router Hub Switch

What is the purpose of software license?

Software licence grants an end-user permission to use one or more copies of software in ways as specified by the author. Ownership of the application may remain with the author.

Describe cloud based software updates

Software systems that run in browser and on the cloud are updated regularly and automatically by the cloud provider. Many of these systems allow employees to download their own version of the software for use at home.

What is solid state storage?

Solid state storage devices are so called because they have no moving parts. They use a special kind of ROM chip known as flash ROM whose contents can be overwritten.

What is the definition of File Management?

The OS manages controls where the files are stored on all the backing storage devices. It allows files to be created, deleted, amended.

What is the purpose of Memory Management?

The OS manages the sharing of main memory among applications and data.

What are the advantages of hybrid cloud?

The hybrid approach allows a business to take advantage of the scalability and cost-effectiveness that a public cloud computing environment offers while still maintaining control of their business critical data.

Know what the processor clock speed aka processor speed does

The processor measures how fast the computer can carry out instructions.

What are the advantages of cloud based software updates?

The software is always uptodate; The software is compatible

What criteria are used to compare storage devices of the same category:

capacity - the amount of data which a device or its associated medium can hold; interface type - how the device connects to the computer system; data transfer rate - how quickly data can be passed between the device and the computer (usually measured in megabits per second or gigabits per second)

What are the advantages of wireless connection?

cheaper ongoing and initial setup cost; not tied down to a specific location; can connect multiple devices without the need for extra hardware less disruption to the building due to no wires being installed

What are the disadvantages of a wireless connection?

interference can occur; the connection is not as stable and can 'drop off'; it will lose quality through walls or obstructions; more open to hacking; slower data transmission speed than wired networks

What are the three categories of storage device?

magnetic storage; optical storage; solid state storage

What are the advantages of Cloud mail services?

no need to purchase or manage an internal email infrastructure; multi device access when an internet connection exists; security and anti-virus costs for email are removed as this is handled by the cloud email supplier

What are the two types of software license?

proprietary software; open source software

What are the three types of cloud computing?

public clouds; private clouds; hybrid clouds

What are the strengths of public cloud?

scalability - storage capacity can grow as someone's needs increase; reliability; rapid deployment - very quick to set up; potential cost savings - no set up or maintenance cost for user

Describe the features of RAM

stores data while in use, data can be changed , it can be read and written to, Is is volatile storage.